Before my Dad moved to Canada, he lived in Germany for a period of time. Christmas in Germany during the 60’s was very traditional and Christian. My Mom, growing up in Trinidad, which was a British colony, went to a British School and she grew up singing Christmas carols.
As a result, when we were kids, Christmas Carols were a staple part of the Christmas season not just at school, but at home. We had a Carol book, and I learned the piano and organ parts, to accompany us singing.
I was attending Bengali school at the time, and my Dad, translated Silent Night into Bengali, which is quite challenging, to find Bengali words with the right syllables to fit in the English melody. But he did an amazing job and our Bengali class performed this for many Christmas seasons.
Christmas concerts were a large part of my school life and I often had a solo during a choral performance of Christmas music. I honestly came to love them all. I loved the melodies, the stories they told and my favourite; the harmonies. It was all such beautiful music.
Although I have some favourite modern Christmas renditions, my favourites are the choral interpretations. I will often listen to them on my way home from work, with the night skies surrounding me, remembering the melodies and joining in. It honestly has provided peace during what has been a very hectic and challenging end of the year.
Coventry Carol and Oh Holy Night remain on the top of my list. They soothe and uplift and it is a nice way to surround myself with vocal warmth.
I hope that you find the perfect Christmas score for the Holiday season!
But that’s just one Diva’s view!
Diva's View 